Reduced antibiotic prescription lowers patient satisfaction

London: Reduced antibiotic prescribing by doctors is associated with lower patient satisfaction, a Britain-based survey shows. A 25 percent lower rate of antibiotic prescribing by a general practitioner correspond to a five-six point reduction on GP (general practice) satisfaction rankings, the findings showed.

The study analysed records from 7,800 general practices, mostly in England."Many patients come in asking for antibiotics when they have viral infections such as colds, coughs, sore throats, or the 'flu, but antibiotics cannot treat viruses. GPs often feel pressured by patients to prescribe antibiotics and find it difficult to refuse a patient who asks for them," said lead author of the study Mark Ashworth from King's College London.

"These findings suggest that practices that try to help prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by prescribing fewer antibiotics are likely to experience a drop in their satisfaction ratings," Ashworth noted.

The inappropriate use and prescribing of antibiotics is contributing to the development of resistant bacteria. The findings of this study are consistent with previous small-scale studies that found patients who did not receive antibiotics were much more likely to express dissatisfaction, the researchers said.